Friends

This trip to Santa Barbara was an opportunity for being open to the possibilities. I thought the great learning would happen at the retreat (which was VERY helpful by the way), but it was really in the activities with friends surrounding the retreat that brought the greatest opportunity for personal growth. The incredible people I have met and the bonds of close friendship that have evolved are as amazing as they are satisfying. Being in the right place at the right time, or better yet, being in the right place and being “awake” has led to so many wonderful experiences.

Like the woman in the Denver airport, Cindy, who walked up to me to ask a question about my knitting and ended up talking for almost an hour. She proceeded to tell me how her life had changed once she learned to “let go.” How it can be so difficult sometimes, but that she needed to listen to her own inner voice — about finding her voice and using it. She comes at it from a different spiritual perspective than I do, but it gave me an opportunity to celebrate the diversity in our culture. We had a nice framework for an in depth, spontaneous conversation. It was a beautiful exchange.

Of course, I must mention my “adopted parents” in Santa Barbara, whom I never would have met if it hadn’t been for Pam Towne taking me under her wing (and their own generosity as hosts) last year on my trek from Seijaku in the Santa Cruz mountains to the Intensive in Santa Barbara. At Tony and Rachel’s invitation, I came out early for the TCC retreat this year and spent some time with them. The depth of knowledge that they so willingly shared, the opportunities that spontaneously surrounded us, the genuine warmth, caring, and acceptance that can seem so rare in our world today — they embodied all of these amazing qualities. In the process of our few days together, I felt like I had experienced some of my greatest teachers. But, more importantly to me, I really felt like I was “home.”

Then, there’s Diana, my dear roommate at the retreat. More than once she listened to an outpouring of emotion about some pretty difficult topics for me. Difficult topics that, before regular TCC practice, I would have handled differently. Of course, with more TCC movement, it seems to stir up even more of a cleansing. In my case that usually means tears. I do attend things sometimes with that in mind. I know there will be something to work on — most likely well beyond my TCC movements. I try to stay open to life and ALL the possibilities. Some of it is harder work than others. Usually, the rewards are outstanding.

I would also like to show gratitude for the entire TCC community. Through people’s willingness to put forth the extra effort to host an event, they bring about all these possibilities, all these opportunities. By everyone’s participation in exploring other than their own back yard, they share their knowledge and maybe open to the possibility of gaining some knowledge or experience that might not be available to them otherwise. We enrich each other and what a blessing to attend any kind of gathering of TCC teachers and/or students. Let’s keep our community alive and active, stretch out of our comfort zone. Let’s see what else is out there for ourselves and for each other. T’ai Chi Chih practice enriches in so many ways; stay open to the possibilities and experience the richness beyond your own practice.

The retreat was the catalyst for bringing things together, but sometimes life unfolds very differently from what I expect. I’m glad my T’ai Chi Chih practice has brought new awareness to my life, that I can more easily seize these opportunities, experience them, and treasure the memories always.